Collapsible case



July 22, 1930. c. J. ABELSON COLLAPSIBLE CASE Filed flay 14, 1927 INVENTOR. Ca/'7 J 9190/1.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 22, 193G PATENT OFFICE oAnn J. ABELSON, or PROVIDENCE, nnonn IsLAnn COLLAPSIBLE CASE Application filed May 14, 1927., Serial No. 191,375.

This invention relates to a collapsible case and has for its object to provide such a case which is more particularly adapted for receiving cigarette packages, whereby the original package may be deposited between the walls of this case and this case by its construction is rendered collapsible, whereby its side walls will follow the gradually reduced size of the package as the cigarettes are successively removed therefrom to retain the remaining cigarettes in the package.

A further object of the invention is tokprovide a collapsible case of this character which is open at its opposite ends when extended and is constructed with side and edge walls, the edge walls being each hinged to the side walls and each formed of a plurality of se"- tions to be folded one upon the other to permit the side walls to be drawn in toward each other to accommodate packages of varying thicknesses.

A further object of the invention is the invention consists of certain novel features" of construction, as will be more fully described," and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a partial package of cigarettes retained within the walls of my collapsible case.

Figure 2 is a perspective view snowlng the casing collapsed with the package removed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the case showing one of the side walls of the case detached.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing one of the edge walls of the case formed in sections with the sections hinged together.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional end view of a portion of the casing showing the two edge wall sections hinged together and also hinged to the opposite side walls; also showing the stop on the hinge of the side walls to prevent the edge walls from opening outwardly.

Figure 6 shows the same as Figure 5 but With the edge wall folded partially inwardly.

Figure 7 is an edge view partlyin section showing the inturned flanges on the lower edge of the side plates engaging the lower edgeof the cigarette package. a

Figure 8 is a top view. showing the cigarette package as retained between the walls of the case with a portion of the cigarettesremoved and the whole-partly collapsed.

It is found in practice of advantage to provide a metal casing adapted to receive a full package of cigarettes, the casing being opened at its top and bottom ends, whereby the end of the package may be torn off to expose a few of the contents to be removed therethrough' one at a time and the bottom edge of the casing being provided with narrow, inturned flanges to prevent the package from slipping therethrough, the casing being constructed to collapse, by the provision of foldable end walls which permit the side walls to close in towards each other and so follow the gradually reducing size of the package as the cigarettes are removed one by one therefrom; and the following is a detaileddescriptionof the present embodiment .of my invention and showing one construcof which is preferably provided with a narrow,.inturned bottom flange 12,the edge walls 13 of the casing being each preferably constructed of two sections 14 and 15, which sections are hinged together longitudinally at 16 at their middle portion and their edges 17 are provided with hinge members 18 which cooperate with the hinge members 11 on the edges of the side walls to hinge these edgewalls between these opposite side walls. Some of these hinge members 11 and 18 are partially cut away as at 19 so that when the end walls are in extended position the cutaway portions of these hinge members will abut as at 20, see Figure 5, and so limit the outward swinging motion of the edge walls at the same time permitting a tree, inward swinging motion of these walls, which inward swinging mot-ion permits the side walls to be drawn toward each other and so follow the gradually reducing size of the cigarette package contained between them as the cigarettes are removed one by one therefrom.

My improved cigarette case is extremely simple and practical in construction and as the same is formed of metal its broad side walls present an extended surface which is adapted to be highly ornamental and so provide a casing which is very handsome and attractive in appearance.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cigarette pack comprising a collapsible metal case of rectangular shape open at its top and bottom ends and having side and edge walls, both of said edge walls being foldable inwardly to permit the side walls to approach each other to accommodate packages of varying sizes and means on said side walls for retaining the accommodated package in position. i

2. A cigarette pack comprising a collapsible case open at its top and bottom ends and having side and edge walls, said edge walls being hinged directly on the sides of said side walls and each :toldable inwardly permitting the side walls to approach each other to accommodate packages of varying thicknesses and means on said side walls for retaining the accommodated package in position.

3. A cigarette pack comprising a collapsible case having side and edge walls, said edge walls being each formed of a plurality of sections and hinged to said side walls and said sections being also hinged together to be folded one upon the other and cause said side walls to be moved inwardly toward each other, a stop to prevent said sections from being folded outwardly beyond the edges of the side walls and means on said side walls for retaining the accommodated package in position.

4. A collapsible case open at its opposite ends when extended and having side and edge walls, said edge walls being each formed in two parts, said parts being hinged together and also hinged to said side walls, and an 

